DELRAY BEACH — A crowd of teary eyed police officers filled the lobby of the city's police department Thursday morning when officials announced the death of Sgt. Adam Rosenthal, 39, killed in a single-vehicle crash in suburban Boca Raton.

Rosenthal, a 16-year veteran of the department leaves behind a wife and four children.

He died in an accident that happened shortly after 6:15 a.m near Southwest 18th Street and Boca Rio Road.

Rosenthal was in a patrol car driving eastbound on 18th Street when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle slammed into a tree on the roadway's median, said PBSO spokeswoman Teri Barbera.

He was taken to Delray Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Barbera said.

Rosenthal was a leader in the department and well-respected, receiving 88 commendations throughout his career, among other accolades, said Sgt. Nicole Guerriero, a police department spokeswoman.

"He was a comforter, if you needed comfort he could give it … he also leaves behind a family here at the Delray Beach Police Department," she said.

When news of what happened began to spread, telephone calls starting coming in from retired Delray Beach officers from throughout the country to show their support, said city officer Jeff Messer.